Wellness

[Kathlen]

When I lived in CA years ago I had Kaiser HMO through my employers ... never had a problem. Perfectly satisfied.

Now - back in NYC and retired - I have just basic Medicare and a supplemental plan that's a retirement benefit. It picks up what Medicare doesn't pay minus a small deductible and gives me excellent prescription coverage.

[Gooday]

About 6 weeks ago I was checking out at the doctor's office and this situation was disturbing and sad for me to witness.

A female senior citizen was told to see her PA. She showed the male receptionist 4 different insurance cards, all of which were Blue Advantage cards, ALL expired. The young man TRIED, Lord he TRIED to explain the cards were expired AND when she finally produced the correct card, he explained they did not take Blue Advantage at that particular clinic. That the PA would have to see her at another clinic a few towns over. THEN, she whips out her red, white and blue Medicare Card to which he TRIED to explain that her Blue Advantage IS her current coverage and when you sign up for Blue Advantage, your Medicare Card is not in effect.

WHY oh WHY, aren't people more educated when they sign up for these policies? Because I believe they are selling these people policies they don't understand. IMO and it's JMO, if I were a senior, the last thing I would want is to get rid of Medicare. Get a decent supplemental. It's like the old saying, "you get what you pay for".

[Teddixat]

Hello Kivah

I just moved to Newbury Park, California - not far from Oxnard. I recently retired and went on Medicare. I did choose Kaiser because of all of the positive feedback I got from so many people. My SO was on Kaiser for years until he became eligible for medicare and Kaiser Senior Advantage accepts Medicare as full payment. He loves Kaiser and decided to stay with them. The Woodland Hills facility is very close to him. I decided to sign up for Kaiser also. They are rated number #1 by Medicare. I am so far a very healthy individual and have not had the opportunity to use their services yet but they are very hands on and do inundate you with a lot of paperwork at first but it all evens out. I know there are some people who love the freedom to chose their own doctor and go wherever they want and there are a lot of good secondary insurance companies. Kaiser is an HMO and you have to go to their doctors. I will say that someone I know had a serious illness which required specialized care and Kaiser sent him to a specialty hospital to receive proper card. Don't always believe the negatives.

Hope this helps

[RinaRina]

I'll be KIND .... Kaiser is the worst insurance I've ever had.

EOM.

[kivah]

Lousgirl: I lived in Newbury Park from 1978 to 1988 on Los Vientos - I always regret selling my beautiful house there.

Q4U: I've rented out rooms in my house thru the years to military and contractors at Point Mugu and Port Hueneme.

Ladies: Thanks for such good advice. I'm 74 yrs old and have been retired for a long time. Nine yrs ago, I had ovarian cancer and SCAN's services and doctors were amazing. One of the doctors, a surgeon (who was a contractor), saved my life. I don't know how much it cost for all my medical care when I had surgery/chemo, but I only had to pay around $8,000 out of pocket. I've also been happy with the other doctors - and I was never inundated with paperwork. All this insurance stuff confuses me and I'm not one who can ever understand the differences. I think I'll stay with SCAN.

[italia814]

On 4/7/2015 rina33 said:

I'll be KIND .... Kaiser is the worst insurance I've ever had.

EOM.

Ditto - I'd never have an HMO.

[goodstuff]

I have heard and read that Kaiser's Medicare advantage program is good in California......and not nearly so good elsewhere. My mom was on a Kaiser M.A. plan in Georgia prior to her death, and I'd describe the care and coverage as adequate, but not spectacular. My dad died from sepsis (needlessly, I think) while under the care of Kaiser doctors in a hospital.

[LilacTree]

I live on SS, Medicare (all parts), and Long Term Care Insurance Benefits. I paid into all of them for many years. Without them, I would have no income. I have no complaints about any of them, they are a godsend to me.

I never even considered any of the Advantage plans.

[Gooday]

I want to ask a serious question to those who are Medicare eligible: other than cost, why would you pick an Advantage plan over Medicare with a supplemental? Aren't you limited as to where you have to be seen? Can you go to ANY doctor at ANY facility? Are they all HMO's?

I am nearly 62 and have Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO through my retired husband's job. However, the premiums are astronomical. He is Medicare with the PPO supplemental. It's my premium that is ridiculous. However, I have no plans on changing until I hit Medicare age. Then, we'll see what the situation is at that time.

[terrier3]

On 4/9/2015 Gooday said:

I want to ask a serious question to those who are Medicare eligible: other than cost, why would you pick an Advantage plan over Medicare with a supplemental? Aren't you limited as to where you have to be seen? Can you go to ANY doctor at ANY facility? Are they all HMO's?

I am nearly 62 and have Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO through my retired husband's job. However, the premiums are astronomical. He is Medicare with the PPO supplemental. It's my premium that is ridiculous. However, I have no plans on changing until I hit Medicare age. Then, we'll see what the situation is at that time.

May I suggest you check out a Blue Cross/Blue Shield Plan directly? Or based on your income, you may be able to get coverage with a tax credit through your state exchange.

I have had many clients in your situation who have found that getting an individual BC/BlueS plan saves them money. There are PPO plans on both the exchange and individual markets - at 4 levels of deductibles and co-pays - everything from ZERO deductible plans to $6,600 deductibles.

If you stick with BC/BlueShield, they are accepted by over 90% of US hospitals and doctors.